Eva Paniti-Meyer

Eva Paniti-Meyer has spent a lifetime devoted to, training for, competing in, and coaching gymnastics. Of Hungarian descent, Eva grew up in Romania where she was invited to join a local gymnastics club at the age of seven. From that point on, she knew she would be involved in gymnastics the rest of her life. “It was my playground, and I instantly knew I would coach.” said Paniti-Meyer.

Eva enjoyed great success as a young gymnast in Romania, earning a spot on the Romanian National Team from 1974-1976. She was training on the National Olympic Team in preparation for the 1976 Olympics in Montreal when she was injured just days before the trial. Believing that everything happens for a reason, Eva credits that injury for turning the path in her life towards her new home of Medicine Hat.

Eva graduated with a Coaching Degree in Physical Education from the University of Bucharest. Given her Hungarian descent and the political environment at the time, she found it difficult to find coaching work in Romania. Knowing she would have to flee from her Hungarian and Romanian origins to follow her dream, Eva made five failed attempts by bus, plane and boat before the kindness of one anonymous border guard on Christmas Eve, 1986, allowed Eva to cross into Vienna, Austria. She spent time in a refugee camp, applying for immigration to both Canada and the United States. Four months later, she was invited to the Canadian Embassy in Vienna and arrived in Winnipeg, Manitoba on September 28, 1987 with $900 in her pocket, knowing not a word of English. Eva made her own way to Medicine Hat to stay with a family friend on October 5, 1987 and has called this city home ever since.

In 1988, Eva met a nurse, Judy, who was involved in what was known as the Vincent Massey Gymnastics Club. Nurse Judy brought Eva to the school one evening where she was hired as a gymnastics coach on the spot. Later that year, the Board of Directors of the Vincent Massey Gymnastics Club purchased the old racquetball building in the light industrial area and changed their name to the Salta Gymnastics Club. Eva not only brought a wealth of experience, coming from the formidable Romanian National and Olympic Team of the mid 1970s, but also a strong work ethic and unparalleled commitment and love for coaching, children, and the sport of gymnastics.

The following year, Eva was named Head Coach and Program Coordinator, roles she has been serving for the past 30 years. In that time, she has quadrupled the size of the gym, while personally coaching thousands of children and instilling a love for gymnastics into their lives.

One former athlete said Eva’s coaching method helped them see the impossible as real and tangible. “She has an incredible ability to look at a situation, the strengths and limitations within that situation, and then make a reasonable and achievable plan of action for how to change and improve that situation. She works through each step diligently, with persistent attention, commitment, enthusiasm and patience until one day, we all look back at what was.”

Though stern and honest in her coaching technique, her soft side saw many of the athletes look to Eva as a second mother. Girls come back to the club as students away at university, then as mothers to enroll their children.

On top of developing many great athletes over the years, including her own daughter, Olivia, who began coaching at the age of 12, Eva takes care of the day to day operations of the club.

She oversees the Recreation programs, Salta Achievement Squad, Men’s Program, trampoline program and Competitive teams. Along with coaching, you will often find her answering the phone, helping a member at the desk, or cleaning something up around the gym. Eva has devoted her life to operating the club, wearing endless hats while doing so.

Because of Eva’s dedication and commitment, Salta Gymnastics has a respected reputation not only in Medicine Hat, but provincially and nationally as well. Eva has served on the Alberta Gymnastics Federation Board of Directors and the Women’s Program Committee.

When asked what she considered to be her greatest personal accomplishment, Eva responded, “Living out a dream I had when I was seven years old. Never give up on your dreams. I’ve put my heart and soul into Salta Gymnastics.”